asked the Minister for Labour if he is making arrangements to forecast manpower requirements by region and by trade; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Manpower Requirement Forecasts.
42.
As I indicated in reply to a similar question by the Deputy last May, the preparation of reliable forecasts of manpower requirements by occupation on a regional basis is not feasible. This situation is not peculiar to this country; it applies also to other countries.
No country, as far as I am aware, has succeeded in developing a reliable system of forecasting manpower demand.
Would the Minister agree that it would be desirable if a way could be devised?
It would be desirable but there are many material difficulties lying in the way of a reliable system of regional manpower forecasting. I am not aware of any country in Europe which has developed such a scheme.
Did the Minister not tell me some time ago that he was endeavouring to make arrangements whereby we might be able to forecast manpower requirements with regard to trades and especially with regard to apprentices and the number who will be required each year?
That is right.
Does his latest statement indicate that he does not intend to proceed with this?
The position is different in the case of apprentices because, in the case of apprentices, we know what trades they are following and we also know from the general demand in industry what trades are required. On the general question of a national manpower policy there are difficulties lying in the way of developing a reliable regional system.
Does the Minister agree that we could not talk about the number of apprentices required unless we had some indication as to the manpower requirements in particular skilled trades?
I am saying this is possible in the area of apprenticeship training. We can do a great deal in terms of planning for apprenticeship requirements in that confined area but, in the general area of a national manpower policy, there are difficulties lying in the way of developing a reliable system. This does not mean we will cease in our attempts to get some sort of order into the whole area of manpower.